MAM

Coca-Cola retains top spot in Interbrand’s Global Brands report

Published

13 years ago

October 3, 2012

MUMBAI: Coca-Cola, Apple and IBM lead brand consultancy Interbrand‘s 13th annual Best Global Brands report.

While Coca-Cola retained its top position, Apple jumped to number two with stellar sales in both developed and emerging markets over the last year.

Social media giant, Facebook (69), enters the report after making headlines as the third largest IPO in US history, and Google in fourth spot experienced a 26 per cent increase in brand value over the last year, exceeding rival Microsoft‘s (5) brand value for the first time in the history of Interbrand‘s report.

Interbrand publishes its Best Global Brands report of the world‘s 100 most valuable brands on an annual basis.

Interbrand‘s methodology – the first of its kind to be ISO certified – analyses the many ways a brand touches and benefits an organisation, from driving bottom-line business results to
delivering on customer expectations.

To develop its report, Interbrand examines the three key aspects that contribute to a brand‘s value:

The financial performance of the branded products or service
The role the brand plays in influencing consumer choice
The strength the brand has to command a premium price, or secure earnings for the company

2012 Overview: Delivering meaningful brand experiences across all touchpoints

Against the backdrop of continued global economic uncertainty, this year‘s top 100 brands excelled in securing their market position and delivering more personal and enriching experiences to consumers — across geographies and platforms.

Interbrand Global CEO Jez Frampton said, “As global competition increases and many competitive advantages, like technology, become more short-lived, a brand‘s contribution to shareholder value will only increase. The world‘s 100 most valuable brands are leading the way by listening to consumers, employees, and investors alike and delivering a seamless and holistic brand experience across an ever-evolving range of touchpoints.”

In a fast-moving world where consumers‘ offline and online brand experiences constantly intertwine, the leading brands are staying actively engaged, tapping into the inexorable rise of data and information in order to drive innovation across all industries. They are spending the time and money required to understand the role their brand plays in consumers‘ lives – and they are strategically weaving their brand proposition into every interaction.

New entrants in 2012

Pampers (34): Pampers, the top-selling diaper brand in the US and P&G‘s number one selling brand in the world, earned the highest ranking position among this year‘s new entrants. Pampers has effectively used social media platforms and loyalty programmes to connect to its consumer base. Such efforts (and increased financial transparency on P&G‘s part) have earned Pampers a high-ranking spot in this year‘s Best Global Brands report.

Facebook (69): Facebook‘s IPO in May enabled Interbrand to examine the social media behemoth‘s financials for the first time. Despite its rocky start as a publicly listed stock and lingering uncertainty about its business model, Facebook‘s growth as a brand, especially in developing markets, earns it a position in this year‘s report.

Prada (84): Prada returns to the Best Global Brands report this year. The brand‘s continued growth in revenue is fueled largely by 250+ DOS (Directly Operated Stores) worldwide – a network that has expanded by keeping a careful eye on increasingly sophisticated customers in developing markets.

Kia (87): For the past few years, Kia has been one of the fastest-growing global automotive brands. In the US, Kia‘s market share has grown for 17 consecutive years and its sales numbers continue to rise, even in the troubled European marketplace.

Ralph Lauren (91): Making its first appearance in the top 100 since 2009, Ralph Lauren‘s notable brand growth in the past year can be attributed to highly innovative communication patterns and consistency across all touchpoints and formats.

MasterCard (94): MasterCard makes its debut in the 2012 Best Global Brands report after an impressive year. The company‘s launch of its “Priceless Cities” campaign and a growing suite of solutions for business owners are steadily increasing consumer satisfaction – and contributing to its rise in brand value.

Top rising brands in 2012

Apple (+129 per cent): Despite Steve Jobs‘ passing, consumers‘ emotional connection to the Apple brand remains stronger than ever – this was made clear just recently with the launch of iPhone 5. Even in the face of increasing competition from rivals Google and Samsung, the company continues to demonstrate its commitment to protecting the Apple brand and its intellectual property. Such commitment enabled Apple to post quarterly revenue of $35 billion and quarterly net profit of $8.8 billion in July.

Amazon (+46 per cent): Amazon has introduced the Kindle Touch and Kindle Fire in 175 countries, stretching the Kindle beyond its e-reader origins and turning it into a serious
rival to the iPad. The Kindle Fire now enjoys the world‘s second-largest tablet market share.

Samsung (+40 per cent): Samsung became the global leader for smartphone shipments in 2011 ahead of Apple and Nokia. Samsung also generated a great deal of online buzz by integrating its Galaxy SIII and Note into the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics. Despite its legal battle with Apple, Samsung‘s global market share is 32.6 per cent and its brand value increased by a meteoric 40 per cent in the past year.

Nissan (+30 per cent): Nissan recovered quickly from last year‘s natural disasters in Japan and grew its market share by pushing the envelope on innovation and by creating bold vehicle designs like that of the Nissan Juke. Nissan‘s ability to overcome challenges and continually innovate caught the attention of consumers and helped increase its brand value by 30 per cent.

Oracle (+28 per cent): Oracle has been branching out beyond database solutions in order to stay ahead of competitors. The company continues to make strategic acquisitions and grow its capabilities and offerings, especially in cloud computing. Oracle‘s 28 per cent increase in brand value this year proves that such strategies have impressed customers and investors alike.

Technoplogy brands continue to dominate: Technology brands continued their strong push of recent years, with four of the five top risers hailing from the sector (Apple, Amazon, Samsung, and Oracle).

In addition, five of this year‘s Top 10 brands come from within the technology sector (Apple, Google, Microsoft, Intel, and Samsung). Apple, in particular, experienced record growth in brand value. While there is no question that products like the iPad and iPhone 5 are attractive to consumers around the world, Apple‘s values and unmistakable human touch are what set it apart from competitors in the end.

Automotive brnds move beyond recovery: Automotive brands are becoming more attuned to the emotional connection consumers have with their cars. This has caused many automakers to develop more effective, technologically savvy ways to reach target markets and help prospective buyers better relate to car brands.

Audi‘s (55) digital showroom, Audi City, is revolutionising the future of retailing by combining digital product presentations and personal contact with dealers. Similarly, Ford (45) is working hard to improve MyTouch, its in-car communications and entertainment system. Brands like BMW (12) and Hyundai (53) are investing in global brand campaigns and are becoming more digitally connected and tailored to narrower target groups.

For the most part, the entire industry appears to be focused on engaging customers and prospects in a more relevant and personalised manner throughout the entire purchase cycle.

Luxury brand prove resiliant: Despite the current economic landscape, all of the luxury brands in this year‘s report increased their brand value. As the meaning of luxury shifts, this year‘s top luxury brands reflect a changing global consciousness – with success dependent not only upon a portfolio of superior products and superb quality of service, but also a strong cohesive brand, a formidable digital presence, and reputation that is timeless, elevated, and refined. The 2012 Best Global Brand report includes seven luxury brands: Louis Vuitton (17), Gucci (38), Herm?s (63), Cartier (68), Tiffany (70), Burberry (82), and Prada (84).

FMCG/CPG brands increase in brand value & expand product offerings

The rise in value of several FMCG/CPG brands — Kellogg‘s (29), L‘Oréal (42), Heinz (46), Colgate (47), Danone (52), Nestlé (57), and Johnson and Johnson (79) — reflect successful growth, especially in the developing markets. Another growing trend observed this year was the increasing number of FMCG brands expanding into the healthcare space. Avon (71) and Kleenex (80) were the only two brands to lose brand value (-4 per cent and -7 per cent respectively).

Financial Services: Financial services brands are continuing to feel the impact of 2008‘s global economic downturn. Recent events, such as the notorious Libor scandal, have tarnished the reputation of leading brands like Credit Suisse – it declined by five per cent in brand value and ranked 95. There is reason to be optimistic about the future of this sector, however: Five of the 12 financial services brands in this year‘s report increased in brand value, including American Express (24), Morgan Stanley (54), AXA (58), Allianz (62), and Visa (74). MasterCard (94) was a new entrant to this year‘s report, an indication that its “Priceless” campaign continues to succeed in building a stronger connection between the brand and its growing customer base.

Related Topics:Coca-Cola Facebook Google IBM Jez Frampton Nissan

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Brands

Netflix India names Rekha Rane director of films and series marketing

Streaming giant bets on a seasoned marketer who helped build Amazon and Netflix into household names

Published

2 weeks ago

February 9, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: Netflix has put a proven brand builder at the helm of its films and series marketing in India, naming Rekha Rane as director in a move that signals sharper focus on audience growth and cultural cut-through in one of its most hotly contested markets.

Rane steps into the role after seven years at Netflix, where she has quietly shaped how the platform sells stories to India. Her latest promotion, effective February 2026, crowns a run that spans brand, slate and product marketing across originals, licensed content and new verticals such as games.

A strategic marketing and communications professional with roughly 15 years’ experience, Rane has spent much of her career building technology-led consumer businesses and new categories, notably e-commerce and subscription video on demand. She was part of the early push that introduced Amazon.in, Prime Video and Netflix to Indian homes, then helped turn them into everyday brands.

At Netflix, she most recently served as head of brand and slate marketing for India from March 2024 to February 2026, leading teams across media and marketing for global and local content portfolios. Before that, as manager for original films and series marketing, she led IP creation and go-to-market strategy for titles including Guns and Gulaabs, Kaala Paani, The Railway Men* and The Great Indian Kapil Show, spanning both binge and weekly-release formats.

Her earlier Netflix roles covered product discovery and promotion in India and integrated campaign strategy to drive conversations around the content slate, product awareness and brand-equity metrics.

Before Netflix, Rane logged more than three years at Amazon in brand marketing roles in Bengaluru. There she handled national and regional campaigns for Amazon.in, worked on customer assistance programmes in growth geographies and contributed to the go-to-market strategy for the launch of Prime Video India.

Her career began well away from streaming. At Reliance Brands in Mumbai, she worked on retail marketing for Diesel and Superdry. A stint at Leo Burnett saw her work on primary research for P&G Tide, mapping Indian shoppers’ paths to purchase. Earlier still, at Orange in the United Kingdom, she rose from sales assistant to store manager, running a team and owning monthly P&L for a retail outlet.

The arc is telling. As global streamers fight for attention in a crowded Indian market, executives who understand both mass retail behaviour and digital habit-building are prized. Rane’s career sits at that intersection.

For Netflix, the bet is simple: in a market spoilt for choice, sharp marketing can still tilt the screen. And with Rane now leading the charge, the streamer is signalling it wants not just viewers, but fandom.

Brands

Orient Beverages pops the fizz with steady Q3 gains and rising profits

Kolkata-based beverage maker reports stronger revenues and profits for December quarter.

Published

2 weeks ago

February 9, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: A fizzy quarter with a steady aftertaste that’s how Orient Beverages Limited, the company that manufactures and distributes packaged drinking water under the brand name Bisleri closed the December 2025 period, as the Kolkata-based drinks maker reported improved revenues and a healthy rise in profits, signalling operational stability in a competitive beverage market.

For the quarter ended December 31, 2025, Orient Beverages posted standalone revenue from operations of Rs 39.98 crore, up from Rs 36.42 crore in the previous quarter and Rs 33.53 crore in the same quarter last year. Total income for the quarter stood at Rs 42.24 crore, reflecting consistent demand and stable pricing across its beverage portfolio.

Profit before tax for the quarter came in at Rs 3.47 crore, a sharp improvement from Rs 1.31 crore in the September quarter and Rs 0.39 crore a year ago. After accounting for tax expenses of Rs 0.79 crore, the company reported a net profit of Rs 2.68 crore, nearly three times the Rs 0.99 crore recorded in the preceding quarter.

On a nine-month basis, the momentum remained intact. Revenue from operations for the period ended December 31, 2025 rose to Rs 117.66 crore, compared with Rs 106.95 crore in the corresponding period last year. Net profit for the nine months climbed to Rs 5.51 crore, more than double the Rs 2.18 crore reported in the same period of the previous financial year.

The consolidated numbers told a similar story. For the December quarter, consolidated revenue from operations stood at Rs 45.06 crore, while profit after tax came in at Rs 2.06 crore. For the nine-month period, consolidated revenue touched Rs 133.57 crore, with net profit of Rs 4.49 crore, underscoring the group’s improving profitability trajectory.

Operating expenses remained largely controlled, with cost of materials, employee benefits and other expenses broadly aligned with revenue growth. The company continued to operate within a single reportable segment beverages simplifying its cost structure and reporting framework.

The unaudited financial results were reviewed by the Audit Committee and approved by the Board of Directors at its meeting held on 7 February 2026. Statutory auditors carried out a limited review and reported no material misstatements in the results.

In a market where margins are often squeezed by input costs and competition, Orient Beverages’ latest numbers suggest the company has found a reliable rhythm not explosive, but steady enough to keep the fizz alive.

MAM

Washington Post CEO exits abruptly after newsroom cuts spark backlash

Leadership change follows layoffs, protests and a bruising battle over trust.

Published

2 weeks ago

February 9, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: When the presses are rolling but patience runs out, even the editor’s chair isn’t safe. The Washington Post announced on Saturday that its chief executive and publisher Will Lewis is stepping down with immediate effect, bringing a sudden end to a turbulent two-year tenure marked by financial strain, newsroom unrest and public backlash.

Lewis’s exit comes just days after the Bezos-owned newspaper announced sweeping job cuts that triggered protests outside its Washington headquarters and a wave of anger from readers and staff. While newspapers across the US are grappling with shrinking revenues and digital disruption, Lewis’s leadership had increasingly come under fire for how those pressures were handled.

The Post confirmed that Jeff D’Onofrio, a former Tumblr CEO who joined the organisation last year as chief financial officer, has taken over as CEO and publisher, effective immediately. In an email to staff, later shared by reporters on social media, Lewis said it was “the right time for me to step aside.”

The leadership change follows the announcement of large-scale redundancies earlier this week. While the Post did not officially confirm numbers, The New York Times reported that around 300 of the paper’s roughly 800 journalists were laid off. Entire teams were dismantled, including the Post’s Middle East bureau and its Kyiv-based correspondent covering the war in Ukraine.

Sports, graphics and local reporting were sharply reduced, and the paper’s daily podcast, Post Reports, was suspended. On Thursday, hundreds of journalists and supporters gathered outside the Post’s downtown office in protest, calling the cuts a blow to public-interest journalism.

Former executive editor Marty Baron described the moment as “among the darkest days in the history of one of the world’s greatest news organisations.”

Lewis defended his record in his farewell note, saying “difficult decisions” were taken to secure the paper’s long-term future and protect its ability to publish “high-quality nonpartisan news”. But his tenure coincided with growing scrutiny of editorial independence at the Post.

Owner Jeff Bezos faced criticism for reining in the paper’s traditionally liberal editorial page and blocking an endorsement of Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris ahead of the 2024 US election. The move was widely seen as breaking the long-standing firewall between ownership and editorial decision-making.

According to a Wall Street Journal report, around 250,000 digital subscribers cancelled their subscriptions after the paper declined to endorse Harris. The Post reportedly lost about $100 million in 2024 as advertising and subscription revenues slid.

While the wider newspaper industry continues to battle declining print advertising and the pull of social media, some national titles have stabilised. Rivals such as The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times have managed to build sustainable digital businesses, a turnaround that has so far eluded the Post despite its billionaire backing.

As Jeff D’Onofrio steps into the role, the challenge is stark, restore confidence inside the newsroom, win back readers who walked away, and prove that one of America’s most storied newspapers can still find its footing in a brutally competitive media landscape.